Fantasy Football 2014: Early Preseason Sleepers and Flex Rankings

NFL training camps are officially underway, and the preseason will be here before we know it. At this time of year, fantasy enthusiasts will be making final preparations for impending drafts, and closely watching preseason action is a big part of that process.

Even though starters won't be playing a full 60 minutes at this time of year, we're still able to get a better grasp on how many players—both veterans and rookies—are adjusting to new coaching or schemes.

It also gives us a glimpse of how previously injured players—Reggie Wayne, Doug Martin and more—are looking after rehabbing for an extended period of time.

As we prepare to take in as much information as possible over the preseason, let's kick things off by listing updated flex rankings—players used in the flex position on fantasy rosters—and some sleepers to keep a keen eye on.

Flex Rankings

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

2014 Preseason Flex Rankings

Rank

Player

Position

Team

1

Adrian Peterson

RB

Minnesota Vikings

2

LeSean McCoy

RB

Philadelphia Eagles

3

Jamaal Charles

RB

Kansas City Chiefs

4

Matt Forte

RB

Chicago Bears

5

Calvin Johnson

WR

Detroit Lions

6

Eddie Lacy

RB

Green Bay Packers

7

Demaryius Thomas

WR

Denver Broncos

8

Dez Bryant

WR

Dallas Cowboys

9

Jimmy Graham

TE

New Orleans Saints

10

Marshawn Lynch

RB

Seattle Seahawks

11

A.J. Green

WR

Cincinnati Bengals

12

Arian Foster

RB

Houston Texans

13

DeMarco Murray

RB

Dallas Cowboys

14

Montee Ball

RB

Denver Broncos

15

Brandon Marshall

WR

Chicago Bears

16

Julio Jones

WR

Atlanta Falcons

17

Giovani Bernard

RB

Cincinnati Bengals

18

Le'Veon Bell

RB

Pittsburgh Steelers

19

Doug Martin

RB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

20

Antonio Brown

WR

Pittsburgh Steelers

Sean O'Donnell's Rankings

Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles should be the defacto top-three selections in fantasy drafts this year. Each of these running backs put together stellar seasons in 2013 and should have no trouble reproducing those performances.

Matt Forte may be a slight surprise at No. 4 overall; however, he's absolutely flourished in Marc Trestman's system, putting up 1,933 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns last season. His value increases further in PPR leagues due to his career-high 74 receptions.

Forte is looking to continue his blistering pace this season despite his age (he's 28), according to a tweet from Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune:

Another surprise on the list could be Seattle's Marshawn Lynch at No. 10 overall.

Yes, he's one of the most feared runners in the NFL, but due to his current contract dispute, he's difficult to trust at this point of the year. John Clayton of ESPN reported Lynch's holdout may be a short one:

John Clayton on NFL LIVE says Marshawn Lynch's holdout will probably be 5 or 6 days at the most and he likely will not get any new money.

As a rookie, Bernard put up some solid numbers despite the bulk of the work going to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. In 2013, he carried 170 times for 695 yards and five touchdowns while adding 56 receptions for 514 yards and three scores.

With the run-oriented Hue Jackson now taking the reins as offensive coordinator, expect Bernard's workload to increase significantly.

Preseason Sleepers

Eric Gay/Associated Press

2014 Preseason Sleepers

Player

Position

Team

DeAndre Hopkins

WR

Houston Texans

Rueben Randle

WR

New York Giants

Christine Michael

RB

Seattle Seahawks

Marvin Jones

WR

Cincinnati Bengals

Kenny Stills

WR

New Orleans Saints

Ahmad Bradshaw

RB

Indianapolis Colts

Jarrett Boykin

WR

Green Bay Packers

Carlos Hyde

RB

San Francisco 49ers

Markus Wheaton

WR

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jordan Matthews

WR

Philadelphia Eagles

Seahawks running back Christine Michael is one to keep an eye on throughout the preseason. A very talented runner, he's looking to work his way up the depth chart. During Lynch's holdout, he'll get a chance to shine, and he could benefit greatly from the opportunity.

We all know the story with Michael. Limited to just 79 yards on 18 carries, fourth on the team, while working behind Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin a year ago, but entering camp with a chance to earn a much larger role this season. His play in the spring did nothing to quell the idea he will get regular carries this season. The only question is how many.

Pete Carroll is already seeing improvement in the second-year back, via a tweet from the Seahawks' official Twitter account:

Now, Bradshaw finds himself in line to split carries with the underachieving Trent Richardson.

In 14 games with Indianapolis last season, Richardson carried 157 times for 458 yards—an average of 2.9 yards per carry—and three scores. While Bradshaw only played in three games, he rushed 41 times for 186 yards—an average of 4.5 yards per carry—and two scores.

If Bradshaw can remain healthy this season—something he's struggled with throughout his career—and Richardson continues to struggle through the preseason, he could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.